Good morning. It’s Sunday, May 17th, aka World Baking Day.

🥳 Congratulations on starting today with God, and thank you for letting us be a part of it.

— John 6:29

Have you ever heard the idea that no amount of works can get you into heaven?

That no matter how good you are, you can’t earn your way there?

That’s what the Bible says.

In Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV):

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
not by works, so that no one can boast.”

So there technically is one and only one way, but not in the way people think.

And Jesus Himself says what that way is.

In John 6:29 (NIV):

“The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

That “way” is believing in Jesus.

And Jesus also makes it clear He is the only way.

In John 14:6 (NIV):

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

By “works,” think of trying to earn your way in like getting paid.

You work, you earn wages, and then you receive what you earned.

Believing in Jesus isn’t that.

In Romans 4:4–5 (NIV):

“Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.
However, to the one who does not work but trusts God… their faith is credited as righteousness.”

Works say: I earn it
Faith says: I receive it

Believing isn’t doing something to earn it, it’s trusting what Jesus already did.

In Romans 4:3 (NIV):

“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

And you can’t mix the two.

In Romans 11:6 (NIV):

“And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”

There are no other works that get you into heaven.

So know this: Faith doesn’t earn salvation, it receives it.

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

Adoration: Father, thank You for Your grace.

Confession: Forgive me for trusting in myself over You.

Thanksgiving: Thank You for salvation through Jesus.

Supplication: Help me trust You more each day.

In Jesus name, Amen

“Even If” by MercyMe

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Thanks for letting us be a part of how you start your day with God.

See you tomorrow,

Zach | Start With God